Question Number: 25536

Law 11 - Offside 10/2/2011

RE: Rec Under 12

J. Caesar of Long Beach, CA USA asks...

Attackers A and B are coming downfield virtually side by side. A defender moves in between them, so now all three players are basically side by side with one another, and at which point Attacker B moves into an offside position. A misplays the ball, the defender swipes at it but doesn't clear it, and B then plays it.

First, I felt that B was causing confusion by being in an offside position inasmuch as his proximity to the play was a distraction to the defender who was awaiting to see if a pass would occur. Is there a point where he can reasonably be considered actively involved with the play, or do I need to see where it plays out further than this? (I was prepared to make an offside call at this point,)

Second, as described it did play out further as the ball ended up on B's foot, so he gained advantage from his offside position and the offside call was made. If Defender had controlled the ball cleanly and then B had regained control, no call here, right?

Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
As described the correct decision was made and your interpretation of control resetting the offside is correct. The only caveat is that very close proximity, of the player in an offside position, even with some control by the defender could be called as interfering with an opponent.
However just to be clear there can be no offside call made until the ball is played/touched by the player in possession. Always remember it is not an offence to be in an offside position so the player in an offside position would have to commit some other offence such as impeding, holding etc for the referee to award a free kick in this situation that is provided the ball was not played by his team mate.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The terms for offside have specific meaning. Assuming B was in an offside position when the ball was touched by A:

Player B could be determined to have infringed the offside law by 'interfering with a defender' once his actions interfered with the defender's ability to see or play the ball.

Alternatively, B could be determined to have 'gained an advantage from being in an offside position' if B had touched the ball after it deflected off the defender. Your description, however, does not include the defender touching the ball. So, this is not available. You are correct, however, that if the referee judges that the defender has possessed and controlled the ball, then offside position is reset and B again is eligible to play the ball.

Alternatively, B could be determined to have infringed the offside law by 'interfering with play' by touching the ball last played by A.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Just remember it is not an offense to be in an offside position. A player in an offside position must do something in order to be sanctioned for an offside offense.

A played the ball. Then B played it. B has NOT gained an advantage; he has interfered with play.